The Anatomy Tower is the south-western corner of the medieval town fortifications. It was built in the 13th century and given an octagonal structure, high windows and a tent roof in the 18th century.

The round tower is an important building in Jena's urban and medical history. Dissecting demonstrations were held here for medical teaching and scientific purposes, especially for medical students. Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Justus Christian Loder are also said to have discovered the intermaxillary bone here. Goethe commissioned the building to be turned into an anatomical lecture hall, but this was demolished in 1860 - the tower has been in ruins ever since.

The ruined tower with its glass roof was extensively renovated in 2016 and is open to the public from the outside.